Paul encouraged Timothy that his progress should become visible to all. Why do we find Christians backsliding rather than making progress? In Gideon's conquests we see patterns of progress that will help us live victoriously. In the Name of Jesus Christ who died to make it possible to overcome things that rule our lives and give the rulership back to the Lord.Progress through victorious Christian living
2/6/2005

In Gideon’s life and battles we see an apostolic pattern of progress giving us an example for our lives and ministry today.
Judges 8:3-5
3 God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
4 And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them. 5 And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
The King James Version

Midian was the son Abraham had with Keturah. He became the progenitor of the Arab nations. Midian means ‘strife, contention or brawling’. Moses fled from Pharaoh to the area north of the Arabian Peninsula where he spent 40 years in the desert. Keturah means ‘incense’ and refers to pagan rituals of sacrifice where incense is normally used.

The pattern of overcoming strife
The pattern of overcoming impurity
The pattern of overcoming greed
The pattern of overcoming self-pity
The pattern of overcoming weariness
The pattern of overcoming pride
The pattern of overcoming idolatry

Another thing we can learn from Gideon is learning from his mistake of not having a prophetic eye for the future. He made a golden ephod that became an idol for Israel after his death causing them to go into idolatry.

These seven patterns emerge from the meaning of names of the princes and kings that Gideon conquered during his time as Judge over Israel. Most people know how Gideon defeated Midian with three hundred men, but very few know anything else about him. By paying attention to details offered in these patterns we can step up kingdom advance in our lives. God’s rule in our lives can increase by knowing about these patterns in Gideon’s life.

Overcome Strife
Midian means strife. If we do not overcome strife in our lives we will constantly face these five weapons of the devil: impurity, greed, self-pity, weariness and pride. The enemy normally attacks the anointed people of God through strife, contention and brawling. But it is clearly stated that God will give the enemy over into our hands if we are willing to pursue the course God has set for our lives: to live a victorious Christian life, in spite of oppression and attacks of the enemy of our souls.
James 3:15,16
Overcome Impurity
Oreb means “raven”.
Today you can overcome impurity too if you allow the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin. Paul encourages us to let our progress become clear to all. By paying attention to details offered in these patterns we can step up kingdom advance in our lives. God’s rule in our lives can increase by knowing about these five patterns in Gideon’s life. Yield your body as a living sacrifice to God. Submit to God and resist the devil and he will flee from you. Overcome temptation by using the sword of the spirit, the Word of God. You should desire to be holy and pure, because we serve a holy God. Yield your body as an instrument of righteousness to do what God requires
Overcome Greed
Zeeb means ‘wolf’.
Paul warned the Ephesian elders that after his departure ravenous wolves would come into the church to draw people after them. If all one can think about is making a profit, your entire life is being controlled by greed. The King James Version
A life of giving saves you from greed
Overcome Self-Pity
Zebah was a king. His name means ‘victim or sacrifice’.
Self-pity can control your entire outlook on life. You have the choice, either live a life full of self-pity or make your life a proper sacrifice! Let the same resurrection life come alive in you. Learn to rejoice in suffering for the Gospel’s sake. Heroes of faith rise up and take your rightful place in life!
Overcome Weariness
Another king that Gideon defeated was called Zalmunah and his name means ‘deprived of shade’. Remember God rested on the seventh day. Everything suffers if you do not have time to rest. Noah’s name also means rest. The end result of the battle of faith should be to enter into the rest of faith.
There is a rest of faith that remains for the people of God according to Hebrews three and four, but people cannot enter in because of unbelief. Notice the progression in Gideon’s victories: he first conquered princes. Then he conquered kings and then learned to rest! Judges 8:28
Overcome Pride
‘The Lord shall rule!’ If people offer you something they can take it back again. But when God appoints you it is permanent. The world cannot take away what God has given! Promotion comes from the Lord

Overcome Idolatry
The spirit of Christ is the spirit of prophecy. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would show us things to come. We are a prophetic people. Gideon molded a golden ephod in Oprah that became a snare for Israel. America’s obsession with celebrity and good looks are taking away the joy of living: people can no longer enjoy being themselves because if you are not beautiful or famous life is no longer worth living. People worship the creation more than the creator in our day therefore God hands them over to evil passions such as men to men and women flaring up in passion towards other women. This is evil in the sight of God, although he still loves the people who Jesus died for.
May God help us that we do not leave anything behind of our own importance that would turn people away from worshipping God and causing idolatry to lead them astray!